Endosseous implant placement in conjunction with inferior alveolar nerve transposition: an evaluation of neurosensory disturbance.

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated neurosensory dysfunction and the implant success rate associated with 64 implants placed in 15 patients following transposition of the inferior alveolar nerve. A total of 21 inferior alveolar nerve mobilization surgeries were performed. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 41.3 months, with a range of 10 to 67 months. The effects of surgical technique and implant surface geometry on neurosensory dysfunction were evaluated by using light touch, brush stroke direction, and two-point discrimination. The implant success rate was 93.8% (60/64). The surgical technique that involved detaching the mental foramen resulted in a significantly greater incidence of neurosensory disturbance (77.8%, 7/9) than did the technique that left the bony foramen intact (33.3%, 4/12). The overall incidence of neurosensory disturbance was 52.4% (11/21).